Flåm Travel Guide

Flåm, a picturesque mountain village, is famous for its beauty and scenery, even by Norwegian standards. This village became so popular in big part thanks to Norway in a Nutshell Tour, which links Gudvangen to Flåm and Flåm to Myrdal (read in our travel guide below). In this Flåm travel guide, you will learn about how to get to this village and the top things to do in Flåm.

 

How to Get To Flåm

How to get from Oslo to Flåm:

• You may take a train from Oslo to Myrdal and then take either a Flåmsbana train or a usual train to Flåm.
• Alternatively, you may take bus no. 175 to Hagafoss and then take bus no. 490 to Flåm.
• Also, there are 4-5 daily departures of buses no. 160, 161, and 163 from Oslo to Fagernes. In Fagernes, you may take bus no. 162 to Flåm.

How to get from Bergen to Flåm:

• Nor-Way Bussekspress departs from Bergen to Flåm (actually, in both directions) twice a day.
• Alternatively, you may take a train to Voss and then transfer to bus no. 450, 162, or 420, which, in turn, would bring you to Flåm.

 

Top Things To Do In Flåm

Indeed, Flåm has particularly been known thanks to the two legs of Norway in a Nutshell journey: a cruise across the Nærøyfjord and a Flåmsbana train ride from Flåm to Myrdal. But apart from that, there are quite a few interesting activities to do in Flåm, which means that staying in this village for more than a weekend might be a good idea!

 

1. Nærøyfjord Cruise

Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is oftentimes hailed as one of the world’s most impressive natural sites. And I can say nothing but silently agree with that claim. When I undertook Norway in a Nutshell trip, the fjord cruise from Gudvangen to Flåm was the most memorable, breathtaking part of the journey.

Regardless of whether you are going to book a cruise separately or try Norway in a Nutshell adventure, you should absolutely experience this activity. And if you get lucky and the weather is sunny and warm, you will definitely fall in love with this place (as I did).

Basically, Nærøyfjord is an arm of a larger Sognefjord, one of the country’s largest and most famous fjords. The fjord lies between the imposing mountains and rock formations, which also abound with waterfalls and green valleys. Such a picturesque, scenic journey will surely impress you and be carved into your memory forever.

 

2. Flåmsbana

Flåm and the surrounding areas have been inaccessible by rail transport for a long time. Difficult landscapes and terrain made it tricky to construct the railways and connect Bergen and Oslo by rail. But at the turn of the 20^th century, the Bergen railway (and Flåmsbana as a part of it) had been opened.

But even when it became customary to have this type of railway, the Norwegians decided to cherish their railway history and achievements. The old trains that had carried passengers from Flåm to Myrdal, a highland train station, were refurbished and adapted for visitors and tourists, and thus, Flåmsbana was created.

Today, Flåmsbana is oftentimes labeled to be the “most scenic railway ride in the world.” And yes, the views are beautiful, the nature is astonishing, and the trains are well-preserved and painted nicely. However, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to avoid getting disappointed. Yes, this is a top-rated attraction among tourists. Yes, you will be among the crowds of tourists, and the train will likely be packed. Yes, it is very expensive (though, like almost anything else in Norway). Yes, you need to book well in advance.

The reason why so many people get disappointed with this journey is that it doesn’t match their expectations. But if you know what to expect genuinely, then you may reasonably decide whether you should have this trip done. At least, I would give it a try for the first time (as I eventually did).

The journey lies through the ravines between the mountains, which are covered by greenery and adorned with tall waterfalls. The green, beautiful valleys and the authentic Norwegian nature will impress anyone looking at it from the window of this vintage train carriage.

 

3. Flåm Railway Museum

The town’s railway museum is another attraction on our Flåm travel guide list. This compact museum is almost wholly dedicated to the previously mentioned attraction and discovers the history of the Bergen railway. You can expect to see the El 9 locomotive, rail inspection trolleys, and an old electric engine among the museum’s exhibits. Don’t hesitate to visit if you have at least half an hour.

 

4. Flåm Church

Constructed back in 1670, Flåm Church was built on the site of another, older church. Located in a marvelous, scenic place, just alongside the tracks of the famous Flåmsbana, this brown wooden edifice is a great attraction to stop by and admire the beauty of the surrounding areas. Don’t hesitate to step inside this charming building and marvel at the wooden carvings and paintings that depict the natural world around the church.

 

5. Stegastein Viewpoint

This platform is located within a 30-minute drive from Flåm and allows you to see the entire area and get panoramic views of the Aurlandsfjord. The views are awe-inspiring on sunny days. The platform stands at 650 meters above the fjords and offers an excellent perspective for visitors.

You may take a Stegastein viewpoint bus from Flåm if you don’t have a car. There are at least several daily departures, and the round trip costs 345 NOK.

 

6. Brekkefossen Waterfall

This beautiful roaring waterfall is easily accessible from Flåm. You don’t need any prior hiking experience, but you should be relatively fit to complete this hike, which involves walking on natural stairs and on a dirt trail The overall elevation during the climb will be just 155 meters, while the total length of this hike is 5 km (return trip). But your efforts will be rewarded with the wonders of Norwegian nature!

 

7. Njardarheimr

This village with a difficult name (it actually means the “home dedicated to Njord, the northern God”) is an actual Viking village. Here, you won’t meet any actors. You can expect to see the real people who genuinely lead the Viking lifestyle – just the way their ancestors did 1,000 years ago. The people here know everything about the Vikings, their history, lifestyle, and customs, and they will eagerly share this information with you!

 

8. Otternes Farm

Otternes is an old collective farmyard that was established in a linear manner. The oldest buildings here date back to the 1700s; the last residents left this place in 1996. Today, this place serves as a center for older crafts and a rural museum. If you get here, expect the views to be well-rewarding – the old buildings nestled between the sky-blue fjords and imposing, towering mounts are really something indescribable.

 

9. Undredal

Undredal is a small picturesque village that sits on the shore of Aurlandsfjorden, and you may have seen it from your ship if you took a Nærøyfjord cruise. Overall, the village is so tiny that its population of goats is five times bigger than that of humans. But its astonishing beauty even propelled us to add to our list of the 17 small charming towns in Norway (where you can learn more about how to get to and what to see in this village).

The village is famous for its cheese-making traditions, so visiting one of the local goat farms is a must here. Another popular attraction is the local Undredal Stave Church, one of the oldest stave churches in Scandinavia. If you are eager to try some activity, embark on a short walk to the Hjødna viewpoint (that would open up a great perspective on the village) or hike to Hovdungo mountain to get some awe-inspiring views!

 

10. Flåm Zipline

Ziplines have a long history in the region of Flåm Valley. In the past, the locals used løypestreng (or ziplines in English) essentially to transport hay, timber, and even animals. Today, it is a popular adventure among travelers and locals alike. Have a day of fun and adventures in the fantastic Flåm Valley and relish the authentic Norwegian nature in a more exciting way!

 

11. Kayaking

And the last thing to do on our Flåm travel guide is kayaking. Set out on an exciting adventure from Flåm and paddle in one of the most picturesque places in Norway — Aurlandsfjorden. Enjoy the absolute beauty of authentic Norwegian nature in this fabulous place, where you will be surrounded by intimidating yet lovely mountains while making your way on this deep sky-blue fjord. And, of course, get postcard-like photos of yourself from this adventure!

The activity is suitable for both experienced kayakers and those who have never tried it: the newbies will get instructions about the basics of kayaking from the guides.

 

If you would like to add some of these attractions to your custom trip or you want something special in your adventure, you may try to order a custom tour in Scandinavia.

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